You are here

Women peace and security

The armed conflict and insurgency that the Central African Republic has experienced over the past two decades has had a dramatic impact on Women and children, contributing to an increase in Gender needs on the ground country wide and at all levels.

Mandate of the Gender Section:

The mandate of the gender Section is defined by resolution 2387. Paragraph 51 of 2387 Requests MINUSCA to ensure the full and effective participation, involvement and representation of women in all spheres and at all levels, including in stabilization activities, transitional justice, the work of SCC and Truth and Reconciliation Commission, SSR and DDR/R processes, as well as in the national political dialogue and electoral processes, and encourages the UN Secretariat, in collaboration with Members States, to engage greater numbers of women in the military, police and civilian components of the mission with full respect for the principle of equitable geographical distribution in conformity with article 101, paragraph 3, of United Nation Charter. The mandate is guided by Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

Mainstreaming mandate and integration of a gender perspective in peacekeeping operations

In terms of the mainstreaming mandate and integration of a gender perspective in peacekeeping operations, the Office of Gender Affairs operates on two strategic levels: the first is internal to MINUSCA and the second is external targeting governmental organs (legal and judicial professional, civil society (agencies, and NGO’s), public and private sectors, and professional associations etc. The Office of Gender Affairs is a focal point between MINUSCA, National Institutions, civil society agencies, in particular women’s NETWORKS and NGO’s: Gender thematic group and, an through bimonthly meetings.

Priorities of the Section

Internally (within MINUSCA)

Provide technical support and guidance to senior management for consideration of gender issues within the Mission;

Provide technical support and guidance to senior management for consideration of gender issues within the Mission;

Provide advice and technical support to implementing the SG System wide strategy on Gender Parity within the Mission.

Externally (in collaboration with government institutions, civil society and other technical and financial partners):

Improve knowledge of policy makers, development partners and communities on Resolution 1325 and other international, regional and national legal instruments related to the rights of women;

Support strategies, violence prevention and conflict management mechanisms within the framework of promoting local governance;

Increase the participation and representation of women and youth in conflict resolution and peace building process;

Increase women's participation in national politics;

Promote the integration of gender in DDR and SSR programs

Key achievements

Contribution in support of the transition:

The Political process:

Support for the Organization of a women Symposium and a political march.

Pre-workshop organized in May in preparation for the Political Forum with recommendations (with the African Union , UNFPA and Unwomen)

Establishment of an Ad-hoc Gender and elections Committee in support of women candidates and political activists in the political process for the coming elections in November 2014 with representations from the political parties, the civil society, private and public institutions

Establishment of a National Data Base of competent women.

Support for the organization of a workshop for professionals of the media

Organization of a political Fora in May 2015

Protection and the reconciliation process:

Joint QIP project for cultural center for you and women in the 4 arrondissement (Bangui)

QIP project on food security and IGA for women affected by the armed conflict in Km5, Bangui and Bria, in the Haute Kotto

Over 150 Women of camps Beal and BSS (civilians and ex-combatants) are benefiting from THIMO and Article 4(pre- DDR) through advocacy of the Gender Section;

Combating Sexual and Gender Based Violence:

Support to MINUSCA UNPOL for the establishment of women and child desks in two police stations of Bangui (2ieme and 8ieme arrondissements)

Advocacy

Advocacy for NON Food Items for 500 household returnees in Bria and Ndele (in coordination with the International Federation of the Red cross and the Central African Red Cross) Advocacy for Drugs, mosquito nets and treatments in support of the work of Justice and Corrections in Bangui (for inmates in Bimbo and Ngaraba);

Advocacy for Drugs, mosquito nets and treatments for cantoned ex-combatants in Camps Beal/BSS and the deployment of medical practitioners and other medical personnel to provide medical care to women, children and men the aforementioned camps on voluntary basis;

Security Sector Reform:

Capacity building the FACA on Gender and Sexual Based Violence;

Support to the Central African Armed Forces Officers' awareness-raising workshop on Gender and Law on Parity as part of the International Women's Day 2017;

Advocate for women to be represented in the recruitment process of 500 national police officers to have 23% of women among new recruits;

Promotion of Gender equality and women, peace and security agenda:

Support for the development of the law on Gender Parity(2012)

Support for the development of a National Plan of Action (2013) for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and lunching of the later(March 2014)

Support to the revision of the electoral code to make it gender sensitive (2013

Establishment of Gender Mainstreaming Focal Points for the Mission with a TOR in place

Training and Rollout of the Gender mainstreaming guidelines on implementing a gender perspective in DPKO peacekeeping operations for sector commanders of MIUNSCA (May 2015);

Support to the organization of consultation missions of women's from the countryside on the priorities of the RCA's Peacebuilding and Recovery Plan (RCPCA) in order to strengthen women's participation in the development process of national policies, strategies and programs;

Support to the process of adoption of the draft law on gender parity in the Central African Republic (law adopted and promulgated in November 2016);

Organization of a workshop to share experiences and develop the capacities of Central African women leaders on the role of women in the restoration and peace-building with the support of a consultant from Rwanda in April 2017.

Celebration of the Open-Door Day on Resolution 1325 in Bambari in April 2017 in the presence of the DSRSG-Political, the Prime Minister and the Members of the Government. On this occasion, the women leaders of Bambari sensitized on their role in the peace process, have committed themselves in actions aiming at promoting dialogue and reconciliation between communities through the establishment of 6 Circles of Peace in the city. The project to support income-generating activities for women in Bambari funded by the Mission was also launched during this celebration.

Organization of a capacity-building workshop for Central African women leaders on dialogue, mediation and culture of peace in August 2017. The group of women leaders represent an available force to support the ongoing African Union peace initiative.

Capacity-building of 92 prison officers of the Mission on gender mainstreaming in the correction sector.

Support to the development and implementation of the Mbaiki prison QIP rehabilitation project, including the construction of adequate women's cells, kitchen and sanitary facilities, which have contributed to improving the conditions of detention for women and ensure their protection against sexual abuse.

Support to the development and implementation of the QIP project under construction of the Bimon market in support of women's resilience and promotion of social cohesion.

Support to the development and implementation of the ongoing QIP project on capacity building of women victims of conflict in the town of Ouandago, Kaga Bandoro (Sector Center).

Support for the development and implementation of the QIP project under construction and equipment of the Dekoa Women's Center (Sector Center)